[COVID-19] At-Home Learning for Career Development

COVID-19 has put the entire world on pause and the problem of not having enough time has been replaced with an extreme in the other direction. If you’ve been looking to learn a new language, increase your skillset, transition your career, or find something to talk about in your next Zoom Happy Hour, now is the time. Here is a list of resources that offer free or inexpensive quality classes, webinars, Instagram Live and YouTube videos to help you get ahead during this global timeout.

Back of House - Culinary

ChefsFeed.comChefsFeed.com launched online cooking classes to give you a chance to virtually connect with chefs and bartenders, learn simple cooking tricks and tips, and support the culinary community through this difficult time by purchasing tickets to these instructional classes.

ServSafeServSafe and the National Restaurant Association are offering a free ServSafe Food Handler course and exam.

Social MediaCountless culinary professionals and food bloggers are hopping onto Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and TikTok to demonstrate techniques, discuss recipes, host interviews, and show you what to make for dinner.

Ananas AcademyAnanas has been developed by the industry for the industry to provide information and materials designed to help you learn and succeed.

BarSmarts The BarSmarts Certification Program equips industry professionals and enthusiasts with a wide-ranging knowledge of spirits and cocktails (use code “TRYBARSMARTS” to enroll for free).

Diageo Bar AcademyDiageo Bar Academy is an immersive training program for bar professionals across the globe. Made up of physical and online learnings, Diageo Bar Academy educates, inspires and informs bar and service staff, as well as venue owners, to help them take their career to the next level.

Five DrinksFive Drinks has started an Instagram video series offering everything from virtual bar games, cocktail how-tos with featured bartenders like Casa Florida and The Sylvester, as well as a virtual tip jar in place for local bartenders.

Julio CabreraCafe La Trova’s head bartender, Julio Cabrera, is teaching at home bartenders his best tips, tricks, and recipes, daily on his Instagram at 6 PM EST.

The Mixology CertificationA Bar Above is offering their Mixology Certification for $25 for hospitality professionals who have been affected by the COVID-19 crisis (use code "KEEPLEARNING" to enroll in the discounted program).

Front of the House - Beverage: Beer

Denver Beer CompanyDenver Beer Company is hosting a series of virtual pairings with local producers, like cookie makers and charcuterie.

Front of the House - Beverage: Cocktails

Ashley ThomasBrand ambassador for Sailor Jerry Spiced Rum, Ashley Thomas, has started a #HunkerInTheBunker series, making everything from Pickle Backs to more elaborate Blue Hawaiian Cocktails.

BartendingLicenseHelp.comWhether you are currently starting your career as a bartender or server, or want to advance your existing career, Bartending License Help is a hub for all your bartending needs.

Naomi LeslieEast Coast Brand Ambassador for The Balvenie, Naomi Leslie, launched an Instagram series, called “Use What You’ve Got”, showing you how to literally use whatever you have in your house to make cocktails.Ryan Chetiyawardana While Ryan Chetiyawardana, owner of London bars, White Lyan and Dandelyan, has been self-isolating, he has been helping to keep his cocktail-creativity flowing via Instagram stories.

Trevor SchneiderU.S. Reyka Vodka Brand Ambassador, Trevor Schneider, has begun a series of Instagram TV posts demonstrating cocktails recipes step-by-step, making it easy to follow along at home.

Yelp MiamiYelp Miami is hosting virtual weekend happy hours on its Instagram live. Every Friday and Saturday, different Miami-area bartenders and restaurants will teach how to make their signature concoctions along with classic cocktails.

Online Wine School (Napa Valley Wine Academy) With a wide array of online course offerings from Wine 101 and WSET certification courses to expert level wine courses, you will have access to video learning content, webinars and forums.

Pressoir.wineDaniel Johnnes, the Sommelier and Wine Director of Daniel Boulud’s Restaurant Group who organizes elegant wine dinners, tastings, and seminars, has planned a full slate of online wine tastings and conversations with French winemakers from Burgundy, Champagne, and the Rhône Valley.

QuintessaNapa Valley Winemaker, Quintessa, is launching an Instagram Live series about their biodynamic vineyard.

Wine AccessWine Access has started a Facebook group for wine lovers, collectors, and enthusiasts to talk about wine, ask questions, and share stories.

Wine Hour at Home Chefs Agency and Martins Wine Advisor have joined forces to create Wine Hour at Home, a series of live Instagram wine tastings featuring some of the wine world’s most knowledgeable pros.

Wine With FriendsDustin Wilson is hosting a live wine tasting seminar hosted with his good friend, and fellow sommelier, Eric Railsback.

World of Wine: From Grape to GlassFrom Grape to Glass teaches about the principles and practices of how grapes are grown and wine is made. Whether you’re a wine novice or a seasoned oenophile, you’ll learn to confidently describe wine appearance, aroma, flavor, and taste.

Beginner’s Guide to Image Editing in PhotoshopIf you are looking to shoot better restaurant photos for your Instagram, this series of step-by-step videos teaches Photoshop terms and definitions and gets you started with using basic tools and techniques.

Class CentralClass Central makes it easy to find the online courses from universities, offered through massive open online course (MOOC) platforms, on almost any subject.

Certified Restaurant Supervisor (CRS) Exam ReviewIf you are taking the Certified Restaurant Supervisor (CRS) Exam, Serv Success is offering a free online review to help you strengthen and review the skills and competencies tested on the CRS Exam.

Google AnalyticsThis free online Google Analytics course will teach you about how you can use Google Analytics to improve your website performance.

Hospitality Manager: LeadershipThis free hospitality career training focuses on leading a team by building a positive workplace culture, aligning day-to-day operations with organizational goals, using emotional intelligence to connect with employees, and more.

Inclusive (Remote) LeadershipThis virtual workshop, taught by Vanessa Tanicien, a Facilitator at LifeLabs Learning, discusses the small changes that make a significant impact when it comes to leveraging differences and creating a culture of deliberate inclusion.

Manager’s Toolkit: A Practical Guide to Managing People at Work This course aims to give you a practical guide to managing people at work. Whether you are a first-time manager in a restaurant or a middle manager in an office environment, the same skills can apply to every workplace. In the course, you will engage with HR theories and then see how they can apply to everyday operations.

ServSafeServSafe and the National Restaurant Association are offering a free ServSafe Food Handler course and exam.

Social Media 101 Constant Contact has created an online tutorial to get you started on building your social media presence across all of the top social networks.

Supervisory Skill BuildersLearn the essential skills that help supervisors contribute to the success of a hospitality establishment through this nine module course, which offers skills development for key areas including conflict management, staffing and scheduling, communication and team building.

Language

BabbelBabbel is a subscription-based language learning app and e-learning platform currently offering classes in fourteen languages.

DuoLingoDuoLingo is a language-learning website and mobile app. It also offers a digital language proficiency assessment exam.